Frying Pan River Wade Trip with Frying Pan Anglers

The Pan is OK at the moment with good water conditions. The fish are still laying low but there were reports of reasonable fishing closer to the Dam. Note that from the 3rd of June it is anticipated that the releases will be up with the endangered fish program. The Pan will run high for about a week. When the water comes up it won't be good fishing for a day or so, but when it settles down to a consistent flow it will be good fishing close to the dam where there will be floods of mysis shrimp coming through. The remainder of the river will be hard to negotiate for the few days when it runs at its highest level.

Recommended Flies:Use midges, bwos, nymphs and attractors. The fish are also taking small nymphs.

As they come off try the gray loopwing emergers #20 - #22, the FPA special emergers, biot emergers both with and without the trailing shuck and gray RS2's#18 - #22, Johnny Flash in Olive, Grey, and Black, Olive and Red Jujubee, trailing shuck midge black and cream.

In addition try dry patterns such as the z-wing real midge, black cdc midge and any similar dry black and gray patterns in sizes from #20 through to #26.

The fish are taking generic nymphs such as pheasant tails and caddis larvapatterns. The BWO's are coming off as well. Try emerger patterns such as rs2'sand WD-50's.

With a name like this you know there has to be a story. In fact there are several, but our favorite is the most obvious – that long ago there were so many fish (native cutthroat) they ... morejumped right out of the river and into your frying pan. It begins near Mt. Elbert as a stream fed, heavily pocketed, freestone river. From there the river turns northwest and flows into the Ruedi Reservoir, where since 1968, its waters have been dammed. This 14 mile, Gold Medal, section - from the reservoir to the Roaring Fork at Basalt - is considered one of the state’s best tailwaters.

By definition, Gold Medal in Colorado means the fish are plentiful – a minimum of 60 pounds of trout per acre with at least 12 fish over 14 inches in length. Together with the designated 28 miles of Roaring Fork water, this is the longest, continuous Gold Medal run in Colorado. The introduction of the dam brought an unintended side effect when Mysis shrimp were introduced into the Reservoir to support a Kokanee salmon fishery that was never completed. The result – big boys, pigs, hogs, giants, or whatever you call them - the shrimp diet produces monster fish.

Add abundant, year round hatches and it’s no wonder anglers flock here to fish. The Frying Pan is known for its fabled Green Drake hatch that typically starts in late July and extends through October, drawing even the savviest fish to the surface. In addition to Spring Blue Winged Olive (BWO) hatches, this tailwater is one of only three that hosts the Serratella ignitia, a flightless BWO that attracts fish like ice cream attracts kids.

The river above the reservoir is less crowded and less regulated. The Gold Medal run is catch and release, artificial lures only.

Most everyone has heard of Aspen, known for its physical beauty, great access to skiing, high-end resorts, and home to innovative think tanks and institutes. Yet just a ½ hour drive ... morenorth on I-82 will take you to Basalt, a mile-high jewel of the Rockies. Surrounded on all sides by the White River National Forest, Basalt is also where two of the state’s best fly fishing rivers come together – the Gold Medal Frying Pan and Gold Medal Roaring Fork – and it’s a mere 30 minutes to the Colorado River.

Named for the nearby rock formations on Basalt Mountain, this town like many others in Colorado began in the late 1800’s as a mining and railroad junction. Trains were used to move people, charcoal and charcoal kilns, which at the time brought people to the area and employed many. Today the Frying Pan Kilns at Arbaney Park are an important tourist attraction.

Adventure sports and outdoor activities are the major tourist draw to the area. Within the White River National Forest there are 8 areas officially designated as part of the National Wilderness Preservation System, including Eagles Nest, Flat Tops and the Hunter-Fryingpan. In addition, there are 10 peaks with elevations in excess of 14,000 feet including Snowmass, Castle and Gray’s Peak. The area also features a dozen ski areas including Aspen Mountain and Aspen Highlands, Beaver Creek, Snowmass and Vail.

Anyone planning a fly fishing vacation along with others not interesting in casting a line, there are scores of alternative activities to keep them engaged. They can choose from White water rafting on the Roaring Fork, boating on the Ruedi Reservoir, and needless to say, skiing. For those who like to bike, there are over a dozen, world class, cross country bike trails, as well as lift accessed down-hill biking throughout the valley. Hiking trails are numerous, varying in length, elevation and difficulty.

Not to be outdone by Aspen, Basalt is home to the Rocky Mountain Institute’s (RMI) new “Net-Zero Innovation Center,” located on the banks of the Roaring Fork. The Roaring Fork Conservancy is also currently building a new, state of the art center near RMI’s.

The lower elevations hit a peak in the melt earlier in the week and now the rivers have come down a little with some relatively cooler weather. The Fork is in good condition though ... moreflowing high. The Pan is very clear at its current flow. The best information is that the Bureau will run the Pan up to around 700cfs from the 3rd of June for the co-ordinated release. That will last for a week. Thereafter the flows should come back to remain around 250cfs. However if the Bureau has underestimated the amount of snow they may have to run the flows up again later in the month. The reason they may have underestimated the flows is because we have had quite a lot of rain which fell as snow up higher. There are not enough guages to indicate the snowpack up high so there is a little more guesswork involved than will be admitted.

In the meantime, the fishing on the Pan will be tough when the releases run high so make note. While the cooler weather prevails the Fork will be good above Basalt, but watch the temperatures, as that too could be short lived.

Tom

Aug 18, 2015

Outfitter Review

I would just like to share my experience Cameron this past weekend. We had a float trip planned for September 2nd and Cameron recommend that we fish the Colorado just down from Glenwood Springs. Not only was the fishing great, but we only saw 2 other boats the entire day. Cameron was very attentive to our every need and provided excellent service through our entire trip. His passion for his job shines
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through and was just as excited as I was when the biggest brown trout I have ever caught was brought to the boat. Your fly shop is very fortunate to have such a wonderful guide and will recommend your shoe to all my friends and family. Thank you again for such a memorable day!!

Larry

May 13, 2013

Outfitter Review

Thank you all so much for an unforgettable experience in your beautiful piece of paradise! Tyson Reed & I were there with Rick Sept 25th -28th & fished primarily with Cameron. And about Cam: we could not have custom designed a better guide and fishing partner! He was an excellent guide, teacher, companion & friend. What a jewel you have with him!Can you pass this along to Cam? I will try to send a
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few photos in a few.Thank you again for everything! The cabin was also great!

Mike

Mar 9, 2013

Outfitter Review

Thanks Robyn. Each time I come back, it's a great vacation. And the guide trip was fantastic - this is the second time I've had Harry as my guide and both times he has been phenomenal! The first time, both anglers were advanced and he was great. Spent lots of time with us explaining the river and mapping out trout excursions in the area, after fishing the Fryingpan. This time I had two beginners with
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me - girlfriend, and my sister from Boston - and he was great with them. Gave them an entomology class, gave them a "dry fly 101" explanation and had them both fishing well. He's the best.I'll be back soon, thanks again.

Wayne G

Jul 14, 2012

Outfitter Review

Last week, my son Jack and I had the opportunity to have Joe guide us to some great fishing in Basalt area. He did a great job and interacted with my son to provide a great experience. We are looking forward to schedule our trip next year with you with our corporate group July 2016. Thanks again and see you next year!!!!

Bob

May 13, 2012

Outfitter Review

Hi Cameron, I wanted to say what a great time I had fishing with you. Both rivers were terrific – different, which made it fun. On Thursday I woke up to 3” of new snow. I went up to the bridge that crosses the river near the dam. I fished up from there to the hole where the fish were rising when you and I fished. It was snowing fairly hard. The fish were rising. I caught several on suspended midge
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emerger. There was not another angler on the stream. It was wonderful. Those are my favorite conditions. I was a little worried about the car getting snowed in so I stopped fishing about noon and went back to the cabin. After lunch the weather cleared and so I fished the private water section. I had great fishing. Especially in the deep run just at the upper end of the private water. I tried an egg pattern which you had used, but I only had orange. I didn’t catch anything on that. They were all caught on either the #26 red bodied midge, or #22 bead headed zebra midge.The trip couldn’t have been better. I 70 was closed most of Thur, I was a little worried about the big storm coming in Sat, so I changed my flight, left the cabin early Friday morning and headed to Denver. It was snowing pretty hard when the plane took off that early evening.

Robert S

Jul 16, 2011

Outfitter Review

Good afternoon, I would like to tell you what a great employee you have working for you at the basalt store. I came in a couple days ago and Marty helped me out significantly. I was bass fisherman and cat fisherman from Arizona and had no idea what I was doing besides some of the basics. Marty went out of his way to help set me up and even took me down by the river to teach me the appropriate cast
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for the current set up he had me on. Great guy and I defiantly will be coming back again. Keep up the good work guys.

Marc M

Nov 24, 2010

Outfitter Review

Fantastic Fishing Experience after 5 Years Locked Away...

Please pass this on to both Jordan Duchein and Warrick- Gents, you may recall my wife and I coming into your Basalt shop late morning Thursday for help in handicapped fishing on the Frying Pan. I wanted you both to know that we had a fantastic time on the river in the evening into dusk and ultimately the dark. We drove down to that bit of paved sidewalk running along the river right across from the
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Gauging Station Pool in the Gold Medal section. Jordan, the drake patterns you sold me were perfect and I caught what was probably the best rainbow ever in a lower 48 stream. The pictures are taken the worst possible way to show off a fish, and it was a comedy of errors on our part landing it! My wife had no idea how to help me land a fish, I finally stepped into the river to make sure we didn't kill it and ultimately fell into the drink and went completely underwater! After getting the fish cleanly unhooked and revived, I had to crawl to shore and drag myself onto the rocks - so it was humbling and really calibrated me that there is no water I can fish without having a partner nearby - that alone will probably save my life again! Anyway, we really appreciated the kindness and professionalism both of you showed us and wanted to pass on our thanks. Next year we will stay in Basalt for the Aspen Music Festival so we can more cleanly split our activity 50% music / 50% fishing. And - amazingly - my wife was so thrilled by the experience that she has decided she would like to take a fly fishing class! Good on ya mates!